PAPYRUS marks a decade of its flagship 'hope walk'

PAPYRUS' offices are based near Bank Park in the town centre, and the charity is celebrating a decade of its flagship charity event.

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide launched the first 'HOPEWALK' in 2013 around World Mental Health Awareness Day in October.

The event is an opportunity to gather friends, family and neighbours to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention or to honour the memory of a lost loved one.

Similar walks now take place across the country to raise awareness of the prevalence of suicide, and ways to prevent it.

The aim of the walk is to 'smash the stigma around suicide' and start conversations about suicide prevention in communities.

Similar walks take place all over the country (Image: PAPYRUS)

Vicki Dutton, PAPYRUS community fundraising manager said: “This year is a wonderful milestone for our annual flagship event HOPEWALK, as it’s our 10th year.

“We've seen a huge increase in support for our HOPEWALKS across the country and Warrington is no different.

"Two of our ‘Three Dads Walking’ fundraisers - Andy Airey and Mike Palmer will be joining us along with Warrington Mayor Steve Wright.

"We may even have a visit from Wolves mascot Wolfie.

“The support from the Warrington community has been great this year, with the route of our walk including a lap around Warrington Wolves stadium and other community groups and businesses joining us too.

“Our hope with these events is that we can spread awareness of PAPYRUS and HOPELINE247 around the town of Warrington which is where our head office is based, so the local community know they can reach out to HOPELINE247 should they or anyone they care about need us.”

The Warrington HOPEWALK will start on Thursday, October 5 at 12:30pm, from Bank Park - for more information, email hopewalk@papyrus-uk.org.

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org